EP0248496A2

EP0248496A2 - Vertical video signal filter

Info

Publication number: EP0248496A2
Application number: EP87201038A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard S. Prodan
Original assignee: Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken NV; Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 1986-06-05
Filing date: 1987-06-02
Publication date: 1987-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2007-06-02
Also published as: US4768093A; JP2661915B2; DE3788898T2; JPS6333077A; DE3788898D1; EP0248496B1; EP0248496A3

Abstract

In a vertical video signal filter comprising at least a first and a second signal path each having an adder, a change-over switch and a line memory in a circuit for obtaining a filtered video signal by means of circulation via said line memory at an output of the video signal filter, said filtered video signal being a combination of each time a plurality of video signal from successive line periods of a video signal applied to an input of the video signal filter, in each signal path a first input of the adder being coupled to the input of the vertical video signal filter, the filtered video signal obtained via the second signal path being supplied from the output of the video signal filter each time over a constant number of line periods after the filtered video signal obtained via the first signal path, a part of the second signal path in which at least the adder is present coincides with a corrsesponding part of the first signal path, at least the line memories being present in non-coinciding parts of the signal paths, so that with a minimum of components a reliable filter function is obtained.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vertical video signal filter comprising at least a first and a second signal path each having an adder, a change-over switch and a line memory in a circuit for obtaining a filtered video signal by means of circulation via said line memory at an output of the video signal filter, said filtered video signal being a combination of each time a plurality of video signals from successive line periods of video signal applied to an input of the video signal filter, in each signal path a first input of the adder being coupled to the input of the video signal filter, a filtered video signal obtained via the second signal path being supplied from the output of the video signal filter each time over a constant number of line periods after the filtered video signal obtained via the first signal path.
In television receivers having a picture-in-picture (PIP) feature, that is, receivers in which a small, compressed version of a video signal is displayed within a larger "main" picture, two channels are provided, namely, a main channel and a PIP channel. The main channel is a conventional television channel and receives an incoming composite television signal and furnishes a luminance and two color difference signals therefor. The PIP channel also receives a composite television signal, and processes the signal digitally. A digital, reduced version of the received picture is stored in a memory. This digital reduced version is read out from the memory, converted back to analog form, and the resulting color difference and luminance signals are combined with the corresponding signals from the main channel under control of a synchronous switching ciruit. The combined signals are then converted to red, green and blue color signals for application to a display.
A vertical video signal filter is provided to process the digital television signal before it is stored in memory. Since the picture is to be displayed in a much smaller area than the main picture, sampling is required. However, sampling at less than the Nyquist frequency introduces low frequency beats. Also, the compressed signal, if not preprocessed, may be subject to line flicker and aliasing.
G.B. Patent Specification 1,326,386 discloses a vertical video signal filter which carries out a low frequency filtering function. However, the number of components used in the known vertical video signal filter is very large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a vertical video signal filter which carries out the low frequency filtering reliably and with a minimum of components.
According to the invention a vertical filter of the type described in the opening paragraph is therefore characterized in that a part of at least the second signal path in which at least the adder is present coincides with a corresponding part of the first signal path, at least the line memories being present in non-coinciding parts of the signal paths.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

With the above and additional objects and advantages in mind as will hereinafter appear, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portion of a PIP television receiver;
Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a vertical video signal filter comprising only one signal path for use in the PIP television receiver;
Figures 3A-3D are signal and time diagrams for the vertical video signal filter of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of another vertical video signal filter comprising only one signal path for use in the PIP television receiver;
Figures 5A-5D are signal and time diagrams for the vertical video signal filter of Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of a vertical video signal filter comprising two non-coinciding signal paths;
Figures 7A-7E are signal and timing diagrams for the vertical video signal filter of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a vertical video signal filter of the subject invention;
Figures 9A-9E are timing diagrams illustrating the operation of the vertical video signal filter of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a vertical video signal filter of the subject invention; and
Figures 11A-11E are timing diagrams illustrating the operation of the vertical video signal filter of Figure 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A portion of a picture-in-picture (PIP) television receiver is shown in Figure 1. The PIP television receiver is capable of displaying a main picture, substantially filling the area of the display, and, simultaneously, a PIP picture which is substantially smaller than the main picture and replaces a corresponding portion of the main picture. This PIP picture may be derived from a channel different from that of the main picture or from another input device, for example, a video tape recorder.
The PIP television receiver includes a main signal path having an input section 10 for receiving a main television signal and for supplying luminance (Ym) and chrominance (Um, Vm) signals constituting the main picture. The PIP television receiver further includes a PIP signal path also having an input section 12 for receiving a PIP television signal and for supplying luminance (Yp) and chrominance (Up, Vp) signal constituting the PIP picture. The signals Yp, Up, Vp are then applied to three channels of a analog-to-digital converter circuit 14 for separately digitizing these signals. Outputs from the analog-to-digital converter circuit 14 are applied to three channels of a vertical video signal filter 16 for separately low-pass filtering.
Outputs from the vertical video signal filter 16 are applied to a PIP processor 18 which applies every third scanning line therein to a PIP memory 20. The PIP memory 20 is then selectively read out in synchronism with the main channel and applies its output to a digital-to-analog converter circuit 22. These low-pass filtered, decimated signal Yp, Up, Vp are applied to a first set of inputs of a change-over switch 24, to a second set of inputs thereof the signals Y, U, V of the main signal path are applied. Outputs of the change-over switch 24 are applied to a matrix circuit 26 forming the color signals R, G, B for application to a display device (not shown).
Figure 2 shows one channel 30 of a one signal path vertical video signal filter which includes a multiplier circuit 32 which has a factor setting input adapted to receive a factor setting signal for successively setting a plurality of multiplication factors h(K), by which video signals from successive line periods of one of the video signals Yp, Up and Vp are multiplied. An output from multiplier circuit 32 is applied to a first input of an adder 34 and to a first input of a change-over switch 36, to a second input of which, an output of the adder 34 is applied. The output of the change-over switch 36 is applied, via a line memory 38 to a second input of the adder 34, the output of the adder 34 forming the ouput of the one signal path vertical video signal filter.
Figure 3A shows the input lines to the one signal path vertical video signal filter of Figure 2.
Figure 3B shows the corresponding coefficients h(K).
Figure 3C shows the timing for change over switch 36, while Figure 3D shows whether valid output is available ( T rue or F alse) and therefore the timing of the line to be selected by the PIP processor. As should be apparent, the length of the one signal path vertical video signal filter is equal to the decimation factor.
Figure 4 shows one channel of another vertical video signal filter comprising one signal path, which includes a multiplier circuit including a first multiplier 41, a second multiplier 42 and a first change-over switch 43. A video signal input is applied simultaneously to the first multiplier 41 and the second multiplier 42. The first change-over switch 43 alternately selects the output of the first multiplier 41 or that of the second multiplier 42 for application to a first input of an adder 44, to a second input of which, an output of a second change-over switch 46 is applied. An output of the adder 44 is appied to an input of a line memory 45. An output of the line memory 45 is applied to a first input of the second change-over switch 46, to a second input of which "0" is applied.
Figure 5A shows the input lines to the signal path of the vertical video signal filter of Figure 4. Figure 5B shows the timing for the first change-over switch 43, and Figure 5C shows the timing for the second change-over switch 46. Figure 5D shows whether valid output is available ( T rue or F alse) and therefore the timing of the line to be selected by the PIP-processor.
Figure 6 shows one channel of a vertical video signal filter 16 comprising two non-coinciding signal paths. This channel of the vertical video signal filter 16 includes the one signal path vertical video signal filter channel 30 as described above with reference to Figure 2 of the drawing and a second one signal path vertical video signal filter channel 30ʹ substantially identical thereto and including a multiplier circuit 32ʹ and corresponding coefficients h(L), adder 34ʹ, switch 36ʹ, and line memory 38ʹ. The one signal path vertical video signal filter channel 30 will be referred to from now on as the first signal path 30, and the one signal path vertical video signal filter channel 30ʹ as the second signal path 30ʹ of the vertical video signal filter 16. This vertical video signal filter 16 also includes a multiplexer 40 shown as a change-over switch having a first input connected to the output of the signal path 30, a second input unconnected, and a third input connected to the output of the second signal path 30ʹ, the output of multiplexer 40 forming the output of this vertical video signal filter 16.
Figure 7A shows the input lines to the vertical video signal filter 16, in which the line numbers represent the length of the vertical video signal filter. Figure 7B shows the corresponding coefficients h(K) and h(L). Figures 7C and 7D show the timing of switches 36 and 36ʹ; note that with respect to the input line numbers, the switch 36 is operated at line number 1 while switch 36ʹ is operated at line number N+1. Finally Figure 7E shows the timing and positions of the multiplexer 40. It should be apparent that the length of each signal path 30 and 30ʹ of the vertical video signal filter 16 is 2N while the decimation factor is N.
In operation, the two signal paths 30 and 30ʹ are multiplexed with a constant phase difference, i.e. a filtered video signal obtained via the second signal path being supplied from the output of the video signal filter each time over a constant number of line periods after the filtered video signal obtained _via the first signal path. The sampled scan lines x(n) provide a common input to each of the signal paths. In the first signal path 30, the sample scan line x(1) is multiplied by h(N) in the multiplier circuit 32. The product is routed through change-over switch 36, which is initially in position A, to the input of the line memory 38. As shown in Fig. 7C, change-over switch 36 is changed to position B for subsequent scan lines. After 2N lines, the line memory 38 contains the weighted sum: h(N)x(1) + h(N-1)x(2) + ...+h(0)x(N+1) + h(1)x(N+2) +...+h(N-1)x(2N). The process repeats with line 2N+1 initializing the data in the line memory 38 while simultaneously adding the same term h(n)x(2N+1) to the convolutional sum at the output of the adder 34. Thus the filtered output is produced periodically during initialization of the first signal path 30 every 2N scan lines. The second signal path 30ʹ operates identically to the first signal path 30 except that the initialization and concurrent output are delayed by precisely N input lines. Multiplexer 40 multiplexes the outputs of the two signal paths alternating betweeen them every N lines for one output line time. This vertical video signal filter 16 filters the input scan lines with a linear phase filter of length 2N+1 while decimating the output by a factor N. Thus the filter length limit of N lines in the one signal path vertical video signal filter of the Figures 2 and 4 has been increased to 2N+1 lines for the same decimation rate N in the vertical video signal filter 16.
It will be obvious, that it is also possible to obtain a vertical video signal filter comprising two non-coinciding signal paths by using two one signal path vertical video signal filters as shown in Figure 4, instead of two one signal path vertical video signal filters as shown in Figure 2. It is also possible to interchange the multiplication circuit of Figure 2 with that of Figure 4.
Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the vertical video signal filter 16 of the subject invention. A multiplier circuit 50 receives the input video signals from successive line periods. A change-over switch 52 output is applied to a factor setting input of the multiplier circuit 50 while a signal for successively setting a first plurality of muliplication factors h(K) and a signal for successively setting a second plurality of multiplication factors h(L) are respectively applied to two inputs A and B of the change-over switch 52. An output of the multiplier circuit 50 is applied to a first input A of a change-over switch 54, an output of which is applied to a first line memory 56 and a second line memory 58. Outputs of line memories 56 and 58 are applied to inputs A and B, respectively, of a change-over switch 60, an output of which being applied to a second input of an adder 62 which receives at a first input the output of the multiplier circuit 50. An output of the adder 62 is applied to a second input B of the change-over switch 54.
As shown in Figure 9A, each input video signal from a line period consists of M input samples. Each individual input sample is then divided into two equal periods. These half-sample periods define a stable state of the three switches 52, 54 and 60. Each switch is either in position A or B for an entire half-sample period, but may switch position at the beginning or in the middle of any sample within the input video signal from the line period. This allows two distinct operations to be performed on each sample during a single sample period.
Change-over switches 52 and 60, as shown in Figure 9D, continually toggle between position A during each first half-sample period to position B during each second half-sample period.The output of switch 52 supplies the multiplication factors h(K) and h(L), which are shown in Figure 9B, to the multiplier circuit 50 during the first and second half of each sample period, respectively. This produces two muliplications for each sample in the input line, one product for the first line memory 56 and the other for the second line memory 58. Change-over switch 60 similarly supplies the outputof the first line memory 56 during the first half-sample period and the output of the second line memory 58 during the second half-sample period to a second imput of the adder 62. A first input of the adder 62 is provided by the output of the multiplier circuit 50. During the first half-sample period, the output of the adder 62 is the present sample of the input line multiplied by h(K) plus the output sample of the first line memory 56. During the second half-sample period, the output of the adder 62 is the same sample of the input line multiplied by h(L) plus the output sample of the second line memory 58. Change-over switch 54, as shown in Figure 9C, supplies either the adder output or the amplifier 50 output to the input of the line delay circuits 56 and 58 on alternate half-sample periods. Change-over switch 54 is in position A during the first half-sample periods of input line 1 and the second half-sample periods of input lne N+1 corresponding to the initialization and concurrent valid output of the signal paths 30 and 30ʹ, respectively. The above described operation repeats periodically every 2N scan lines. During the valid output periods, as shown in Figure 9E with a T, the filtered and decimated output scan line samples produced are identical to those produced in the vertical video signal filter of Figure 6.
Figure 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the vertical video signal filter 16 of the subject invention, which includes a multiplier circuit including a first multiplier 71, a second multiplier 72 and a first change-over switch 73. A video signal input is applied simultaneously to the first multiplier 71 and the second multiplier 72. A signal for successively setting a first plurality of multiplication factors h(K) is applied to a factor-setting input of the multiplicater 71. A signal for successively setting a second plurality of multiplication factors h(L) is applied to a factor-setting input of the multiplier 72. The first change-over switch 73 alternately selects the output of the first multiplier 71 or that of the second multiplier 72 for application to a first input of an adder 74, to a second input of which, an output of a second change-over switch 76 is applied. An output of the adder 74 is applied to an input of a first line memory 75 and that of a second line memory 75ʹ. An output of the line memory 75 is applied to a first input B of the second change-over switch 76, to a second input Bʹ of which an output of the line memory 75ʹ is applied, and to a third input A of said second change-over switch 76 "0" is applied.
Figure 11A shows the input lines as in Figure 9A. Figure 11B shows the multiplication factors h(K) and h(L) as in Figure 9B. As shown in Figure 11C, the second change-over switch 76 toggles during line 1 between position A during each first half-sample period to position Bʹ during each second half sample period.
During lines 2 through N and N+2 through 2N, the second change-over switch 76 toggles between position B during each first half-sample period to position Bʹ during each second half-sample period. During line N+1 said second change-over switch 76 toggles between position B during each first, to position A during each second half-sample period. The first change-over switch 73, as shown in Figure 11D, continually toggles between position A during each first, to position B during each second half-sample period. Figure 11E shows whether (T) or not (F) valid output is available.
The above-described embodiments of the invention are advantageous in combination with television standards having a number of lines per frame which is divisible by 3, e.g. 525 or 1125. Further embodiments of the invention, which will be described below, are advantageous in combinations with television standards having a number of lines which is not divisible by 3, e.g. 625 or 1250. These embodiments are similar to those described above, but have also an even-odd field transition detector for dectecting the transition of an even or an odd field into an odd or an even field, respectively. The even field is defined here to be the field which has coinciding vertical and horizontal synchronisation pulses, and the odd field is defined to be the field which has the verticle synchronisation pulse between two horizontal synchronisation pulses.
After a transition from the odd to the even field of the second picture an output signal of the even-odd field transition detector causes a reset of the vertical video signal filter, and after that the subject embodiments operate identical to the above-described embodiments.
After a transition from the even to the odd field the output signal of the even-odd field transition detector causes a reset of the vertical video signal filter after the first full line of the odd field, and the subject embodiments operate form the second full line of the odd field identical to the above-described embodiments. Resetting can e.g. be performed by setting change-over switches 36, 36ʹ, 46, 54 and 75 in the A position.
The procedure is necessary, because without these measures mutual positions of the even and odd field would change continuously, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.
Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to some preferred embodiments of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vertical video signal filter comprising at least a first and a second signal path each having an adder, a change-over switch and a line memory in a circuit for obtaining a filtered video signal by means of circulation via said line memory at an output of the video signal filter, said filtered video signal being a combination of each time a plurality of video signals from successive line periods of a video signal applied to an input of the video signal filter, in each signal path a first input of the adder being coupled to the input of the vertical video signal filter, the filtered video signal obtained via the second signal path being supplied from the output of the video signal filter each time over a constant number of line periods after the filtered video signal obtained via the first signal path, characterized in that a part of at least the second signal path in which at least the adder is present coincides with a corresponding part of the first signal path, at least the line memories being present in non-coinciding parts of the signal paths.

2. A vertical video signal filter as claimed in Claim 1, in each signal path a second input of the adder being coupled to an output of the line memory, characterized in that in each signal path a first input of the change-over switch is coupled to the input of the video signal filter, a second input of said change-over switch being coupled to an output of the adder, and an output of said change-over switch being coupled to an input of the line memory.

3. A vertical video signal filter as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that the change-over switch is incorporated in a part of the second signal path coinciding with the first signal path, the inputs of the line memories being interconnected, the outputs of the line memories being coupled to the second input of the adder via a further change-over switch, a first input of which being coupled to the output of the line memory in the first signal path, a second input of said further change-over switch being coupled to the output of the line memory in the second signal path, and an output of said further change- over switch being coupled to the second input of the adder.

4. A vertical video signal filter as claimed in Claim 1, in each signal path an output of the adder being coupled to an input of the line memory, characterized in that each signal path an input of the change-over switch is coupled to an output of the line memory and an output of said change-over switch being coupled to a second input of the adder.

5. A vertical video signal filter as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that the change-over switch is incorporated in a part of the second signal path coinciding with the first signal path, the output of the line memory in the first signal path being coupled to a first input of the change-over switch, the output of the line memory in the second signal path being coupled to a second input of the change-over switch.

6. A vertical video signal filter as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, the first input of the adder in each signal path being coupled via at least a multiplier circuit to the input of the video signal filter, the multiplier circuit having a factor setting input adapted to receive a factor setting signal for successively setting a plurality of multiplication factors, the combinations to be obtained through the signal paths of each time a plurality of video signals from successive line periods of the video signal applied to the input of the video signal filter being weighted averages, characterized in that the multiplier circuit is incorporated in a part of the second signal path coinciding with the first path, the factor setting input of the multiplier circuit being coupled to an output of a further change-over switch, a first input of which receives a signal for successively setting a first plurality of multiplication factors and a second input of which receives a signal for successively setting a second plurality of multiplication factors.

7. A vertical video signal filter as claimed in Claim 1,2,3,4 or 5 the first input of the adder in each signal path being coupled via at least a multiplier circuit to the input of the vertical video signal filter, the combinations to be obtained through the signal paths of each time a plurality of video signals from successive line periods of the video signal applied to the input of the video signal filter being weighted averages, characterized in that the multiplier circuit is incorporated in a part of the second signal path coinciding with the first path, the muliplier circuit comprising at least a first and a second multiplier each having an input coupled to an input of the multiplier circuit, and a further change-over switch having a plurality of inputs which are each coupled to a different output of the multipliers, and having an output which is coupled to an output of the multiplier circuit.

8. A vertical video signal filter as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the vertical video signal filter also includes an even-odd field transition detector for detecting the transition of an even or an odd field into an odd or an even field, respectively, so that upon commencement of each field the video signal filter can be brought to a correct initial state corresponding to said field.